International migration plays a vital and indispensable role in
the national economy of Bangladesh. Because on the one hand it reduces
unemployment and on the other hand it results in remittance flows to the
country, which serve as an important but inexpensive source of much needed
foreign exchange. In Bangladesh, migration has kept the unemployment rate
virtually unchanged since the 1980s, although the growth rate of the labor
force is almost twice that of the population growth. The continuous outflow of
working age and the accompanying inflow of remittances have played a major role
in keeping the unemployment rate stable. Migration, therefore eased the
pressure of alternative employment creation on successive governments.
Background
Nature and Extent of International
Employment
2.1 Scale
According to BMET data, from 1976 to January 2006, 4.55 million
Bangladeshis have gone abroad as short term-migrants.[1] Since 1976, there has been
as steady increase in the flow of migration every year except declining trends
in the years 1994, 2000, and 2001, since 2002, however, the number of short
term labor migrants is again rising.
2.2 Sex ratio
Up to 2003 there were restrictions and bans on migration of
unskilled and semi-skilled women from Bangladesh. Therefore, most of the
unskilled and semi-skilled women workers migrated through unofficial channel.
Of the total 2,082,270 workers formally migrated overseas from 1991 to 1999,
only 13,544-less than 1 percent- were women. Once restrictions were relaxed,
the number of female, migrating to formal channel increased significantly.
Female migrants constituted 6% of total flow of 2006.
Number and
Percentage of Women Migrants in Comparison to Total Flow[2]
Year
|
Women
Migrants
|
Total number
(male and female)
|
|||
Number
|
% of total
|
||||
1991-95
|
9308
|
0.98
|
953632
|
||
1996
|
1567
|
0.74
|
211714
|
||
1997
|
1762
|
0.76
|
231077
|
||
1998
|
939
|
0.35
|
267667
|
||
1999
|
366
|
0.14
|
268182
|
||
2000
|
454
|
0.20
|
222686
|
||
2001
|
659
|
0.35
|
188965
|
||
2002
|
1217
|
0.54
|
225256
|
||
2.3 Destinations
Presently Bangladeshis are working in more than 100 countries
spread over five continents, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.
Most of the contract migrant goes to the Gulf and South East Asian countries.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya, Bahrain, Malaysia, South Korea,
Singapore, Hong kong, Brunei are some of the major destination countries.
Saudia Arabia alone to account for nearly one half of the total number of
migrant workers from Bangladesh. Now its share has reduced to 30-35%.
distribution of annual labor outflows of Bangladeshi
workers for overseas temporary-contact employment by country of destination:
1976-2006.[3]
year
|
k.S.A
(%)
|
Kuwait(%)
|
U.A.E
(%)
|
Qatar(%)
|
Libya
|
Bahrain (%)
|
Oman
(%)
|
Malay
Sia (%
|
Korea
(s) (%)
|
S.pore
(%)
|
Others(%)
|
total
|
1976-80
|
17.656
|
10.726
|
29.628
|
10.638
|
7.696
|
4.722
|
11.91
|
0.024
|
0.00
|
0.372
|
4.698
|
92207
|
1981-85
|
35.644
|
13.454
|
12.49
|
8.712
|
5.316
|
4.082
|
17.406
|
0.008
|
0.00
|
1.2
|
1.69
|
271442
|
1986-90
|
47.79
|
11.664
|
14.496
|
8.732
|
2.902
|
4.298
|
8.654
|
0.522
|
0.00
|
0.208
|
0.738
|
398295
|
1991-95
|
47.958
|
13.226
|
7.072
|
1.134
|
0.794
|
2.318
|
10.168
|
15.918
|
0.53
|
0.714
|
0.166
|
947507
|
1996
|
35.10
|
10.16
|
11.49
|
0.05
|
0.95
|
1.81
|
4.19
|
32.16
|
1.33
|
2.56
|
0.18
|
207193
|
1997
|
46.50
|
9.22
|
23.88
|
0.82
|
0.84
|
2.19
|
2.61
|
1.24
|
0.39
|
11.96
|
0.35
|
229113
|
1998
|
59.65
|
9.56
|
14.58
|
2.56
|
0.47
|
2.64
|
1.80
|
0.21
|
0.22
|
8.17
|
0.16
|
266083
|
1999
|
69.35
|
8.36
|
12.08
|
2.10
|
0.65
|
1.73
|
1.51
|
0.00
|
0.56
|
3.58
|
0.08
|
267823
|
2000
|
65.44
|
0.27
|
15.40
|
0.65
|
0.46
|
2.10
|
2.38
|
7.80
|
0.45
|
5.02
|
0.04
|
220995
|
2001
|
73.89
|
2.88
|
8.75
|
0.12
|
0.24
|
2.35
|
2.46
|
2.65
|
0.84
|
5.18
|
0.64
|
185735
|
2002
|
73.19
|
7.07
|
11.41
|
0.25
|
0.71
|
2.43
|
1.73
|
0.04
|
0.01
|
3.07
|
0.09
|
223074
|
2003
|
64.69
|
10.66
|
14.90
|
0.04
|
1.14
|
2.99
|
1.61
|
0.01
|
1.50
|
2.12
|
0.34
|
250610
|
2004
|
54.85
|
16.22
|
18.55
|
0.50
|
0.24
|
3.63
|
1.75
|
0.09
|
0.08
|
2.74
|
1.35
|
253465
|
2005
|
35.59
|
20.81
|
27.42
|
0.94
|
0.43
|
4.74
|
2.14
|
1.29
|
0.10
|
4.27
|
2.28
|
225994
|
2006
|
30.95
|
10.11
|
36.79
|
2.18
|
0.03
|
4.64
|
2.29
|
5.83
|
0.28
|
5.72
|
1.18
|
351079
|
2.4 Skill composition
BMET has classified migrants into four categories: professional,
skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Doctors, engineers, teachers and nurses
are considered professionals. Manufacturing or garment workers, drivers,
computer operators and electricians are considered as skilled, while tailors
and masons as semi-skilled. Housemaids, agro-laborer, hotel boy and menial
labourers are considered unskilled workers. During the early years of labor
migration, the proportion of professional and skilled workers was higher than
that of semi=skilled and un-skilled workers. In recent times, however,
semi-skilled and un-skilled workers make up the majority of the migrants.
Skill composition of the
labor outflows[4]
year
|
Professional(%)
|
Skilled(%)
|
Semiskilled(%)
|
Unskilled(%)
|
Total
|
1976-80
|
11.314
|
35.05
|
6.262
|
47.372
|
99189
|
1981-85
|
4.846
|
34.33
|
7.59
|
53.234
|
312177
|
1986-90
|
4.232
|
36.02
|
15.95
|
43.80
|
416334
|
1991-95
|
4.922
|
30.56
|
21.55
|
42.964
|
953632
|
1996
|
1.51
|
30.37
|
16.38
|
51.74
|
211714
|
1997
|
1.64
|
28.22
|
18.85
|
51.29
|
231077
|
1998
|
3.58
|
27.91
|
19.27
|
49.23
|
267667
|
1999
|
3.00
|
36.71
|
16.76
|
43.53
|
268182
|
2000
|
4.79
|
44.73
|
11.88
|
38.60
|
222686
|
2001
|
3.14
|
22.62
|
16.25
|
57.99
|
188965
|
2002
|
6.41
|
24.98
|
15.99
|
52.61
|
225256
|
2003
|
6.24
|
29.32
|
11.50
|
52.94
|
254190
|
2004
|
4.47
|
40.36
|
10.38
|
44.79
|
272958
|
2005
|
0.77
|
44.98
|
9.71
|
44.54
|
252702
|
2006
|
0.11
|
3.34
|
86.88
|
9.66
|
818085
|
Total
|
176445
|
1382707
|
656786
|
1960791
|
4176729
|
3. Migration and Development Link in Bangladesh
3.1 Macro-economic Development
The
impacts of remittances are not only limited at the household level. It has also
a significant impact on the overall economy of the country. Because, high
levels and/or large increases in remittance flows can have direct as well as
indirect repercussions on the macro-economy which help to promote
macro-economic stability.
3.1.1 Significant Source of Foreign Exchange
At a macro level, major development impacts of labour migration
are calculated in terms of remittance and employment. In the fiscal year
2006-07, Bangladesh received US$ 5.97 Billion remittance from all over the
world. Bangladesh has been ranked as the 7th largest recipients of
remittance among 70 developing countries. India ranked as the 2nd
largest recipient but, in relation to total population size, per capita remittances
received by Bangladesh were 33% higher than that of India. World Bank estimated
remittance inflows have helped Bangladesh to cut poverty by 6%. Currently,
garments manufacturing sector is treated as the highest foreign exchange
earning sector of the country. However, net earning from the garments is half
of the stated amount as another half is the cost of raw materials import.
Therefore, contrary to popular belief, worker remittance is the highest foreign
exchange earning sector of Bangladesh.
Year Wise
Remittance Flows[5]
Year
|
Amount (in million US$)
|
1998-1999
|
1705.74
|
1999-2000
|
1949.32
|
2000-2001
|
1882.1
|
2001-2002
|
2501.13
|
2002-2003
|
3061.97
|
2003-2004
|
3371.97
|
2004-2005
|
3848.29
|
2005-2006
|
4427.23
|
2006-2007
|
5978.47
|
2007-2008
|
7914.78
|
2008-2009(October)
|
2985.32
|
3.1.2 Financing the Import of Essential Goods
Remittances are used for financing the import of capital goods and
raw materials for industrial development. The steady flow of remittances has
resolved foreign exchange constraints, improved the balance of payments and
helped increase the supply of national savings.
3.1.3 Contribution to GDP and Development Budget
The contribution of remittance to GDP was 7.73% in 2005-06.
Remittances also constitute an important income source for the country’s
development budget. In the years of 1990’s, its contribution was more than 50%.[6] The government of
Bangladesh considers foreign aid as an important resource base for the
development. In 2006, it received US$ 1.7 million as foreign aid. But,
remittance received in 2006 was thrice of this amount.
3.1.4 Creation of International and Domestic Employment
Creation of employment for its working age of population is a
major task of successive governments. Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training
(BMET) data show that from 1976 to July 2007, the total number of Bangladeshis
working abroad as short term migrants stand at 4.55 million. It indicates a
yearly average flow of around 200,000 and 250,000. A large number of
Bangladeshis also believed to have migrated show irregular process. They are
not included in the figure. This indicates that migration has created
international employment for a large number of Bangladeshis.
Along with direct employment, migration has also contributed to
the creation of employment indirectly. Demand for better management of
migration has created jobs in the public sector. This has led to the creation
of new ministry with a state minister, secretary and associated stuff, as well
as the line agency of the government, the BMET and 48 skilled training centers
employing more than 1000 personnel. The movement of the migrants also has
relevance in determining the size of the ministries of foreign affairs, civil
aviation, customs and immigration departments. Use of air services by the
migrants of Bangladesh play a major role in keeping Biman, the Bangladeshi
airlines viable. A powerful private sector has emerged centering around the
processing of migration. It accounts for another 2 million domestic employment
covering private recruiting agencies, their agents and sub-agents travel
agencies, medical centers, inter-state transportation owners and workers.
3.2 Migration and Development at Micro Level
At the micro level, migration has a substantial empowering impact
on majority migrant individuals and their households. Staying without guardians
in a new environment, negotiating with harsh work condition develops certain
independent decision making capacity among majority migrants. Upon return, many
of them emerged as natural leaders taking part in the local school and college
committees, infrastructure development of local community and local level
administrative bodies. Migration of the male members of the households has
created opportunity for a section of left behind female spouses to participate
in previously male dominated spheres of household management.
Siddiqui and Abrar (2003) provided some qualitative evidence which
negates traditional knowledge of conspicuous use of remittance by family. They
presented that families’ use of remittance in household consumption resulted in
higher nutritional level of young members. Compared to non-migrants, they
availed quality health services and provided better educational opportunity to
the young members. These findings indicate better human resource development in
the migrant families with remittance. It is also obvious that the family
members of the migrants have used a significant portion of the remittance in
generating income and employment. Migrants use a major portion of remittances
in agricultural land purchase, in releasing or taking mortgage of land for
cultivation, investing in micro and small enterprises, in savings, bonds and
insurance and in financing migration of other household members. Besides,
capacities of buying consumable items of the migrant families help to sustain
local small businesses and producers.
3.2.1 Home Construction/Repair
The use of remittance for home construction/repair is a common
scenario of Bangladesh. From the following table it is obvious that the
tendency among the remittance receiving households to use remittance for the
purpose of home construction or repair is widespread.
use of remittance for home construction/repair
No of respondents
|
%
|
|
yes
|
39
|
78
|
no
|
11
|
22
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
The above stated data show that 78% of the respondents have
consented that they have used the remittance money for the constructing or
repairing their houses. Such trends suggest the willingness of the migrant and
their families to improve the living condition by investing more money behind
this purpose. As a result, a kind of changes has taken place regarding the
nature of housing among the remittance receiving families. This is obvious from
the following table:
nature of
housing before migration and at present.
Type
|
Before
|
After
|
Pucca
|
5
|
8
|
Semi-Pucca
|
4
|
9
|
Tin
|
14
|
21
|
Semi-Kutcha
|
19
|
10
|
Kutcha
|
8
|
2
|
Total
|
50
|
50
|
The above stated table indicates the pattern of housing that the
migrants and their families had prior migration and the changes that have taken
place in the nature of housing after migration. Indeed investment in home
construction and repair is reflected on the type of homestead of these
families. These families owed five types of houses: pucca(brick house with
concrete floor and roof), semi-pucca(brick house with tin roof and concrete
floor), tin(tin structure with concrete floor), semi-kutcha(earh floor, sides
with tin and roof with tin or thatched) and kutcha(mud floor, sides with mud or
bamboo, roof either tin or thatched). The table indicates the trend of
improvement regarding the nature of homestead structure. For example, before, 8
of the respondents used to live in kutcha house,but currently 2 of them live in
this type of house. Besides, 19 of the respondents used to live in semi-kutcha
houses, but at present the number of families living in this type of house has
reduced to 10. However, 14 of the respondents used to live in tin-shed houses,
whereas the number of families having this form of housing at present has
increased to 21. There is also an increasing trend in the form of brick-built
house. Because, 4 of the respondents used to own semi-pucca homestead, now the
number has increased to 9. Finally 5 of the respondents used to own pucca house
prior migration whereas the number has increased to 8 at present. It has also
become obvious from the survey that
although in many cases the type of household remain the same, but the
respondents have renovated them and invested a significant proportion of money
for this purpose.
Case study-1
Jamil Mahmud has a large
family consisting of 12 members. But, he did not have enough accommodation
for his large family. Because, he had a tiny house which was also built by
mud. Six years ago he sent one of his sons to Saudia Arabia. He works there as
a construction worker. He earns taka 20000 per month. After six years of
sending his son to abroad, Jamil Mahmud is now constructing a new brick-built
house. He said that since the departure of his son to abroad, every year he
used to save a particular amount of money from the remittance money for this
purpose. Besides, this year, before constructing the work, his son sent taka
2 Lakh to construct the house. Like the family of Jamil Mahmud, many families
have been found during the survey who have built their houses from the
remittance money of the family members.
|
However, construction of house is not seen by many as productive
venture. This is because such an investment is seen more in terms of improved
economic status rather than avenue of economic activity. Nevertheless, home
construction may be seen as durable asset, which does not have exchange value.
Investment in house can also be treated having potential for migrant worker as
it can be used as collateral if he/she wants to borrow for investment purpose
from banking or MFI sources.
3.2.2 Land size before migration and at present
The table below shows that some changes have occurred in
landholding patterns of the migrant remittance receiving households.
average land
size before migration and at present
Situation
|
Land Size(in decimals)
|
Before migration
|
85.90
|
At present
|
104.50
|
The aforementioned table indicates that migration has a positive
impact on the land size of the remittance receiving households. However,
investment of remittance in land purchase is considered by some as unproductive
sine it does not add to the country’s productive capacity and also results in
inflation. But if it is considered from migrant’s point of view, then, given the
shortage of viable avenues of investment, law and order situation and
concomitant pressure from the extortionists, land is the safest avenue for
remittance utilization. Agricultural land can provide economic return through
crop production. Besides, the increasing price of the land also makes it as a
lucrative sector for investment as the value of both agricultural and homestead
land is likely to increase over time.
Case
Study-2
Mohammad liton, a resident of Jagatpur
village, Kachua, Chandpur, went abroad 10 years ago. Prior going abroad, he
had only 20 decimals of land. However, to manage the cost of going abroad he
sold 12 decimals of land. Bur after going abroad, over the years, he invested
a large amount of money in purchasing land. Now, he is the owner of 250
decimals of land. He purchased the land gradually. He mentioned that every
year, after going abroad, he purchased around 20 decimals of land on an
average. He invested large sums of money behind purchasing land because he
thinks having enough land is very crucial to lead a stable life. Because, on
the one hand, by cultivating land he can produce foods which besides
fulfilling his family needs, can also be sold at the local market. Besides,
as the demand for land increases every year so the price also goes up’.
|
However, in the rural areas, the use of remittance in releasing
mortgaged land is also significant because it re-establishes the right of the
person to cultivate in the land and thereby ensures the food security as well
as future survival. The social esteem of the family concerned is also increased
in this way. Because, in the rural area, the person who belongs more land can
exert more authority in various social activities. Indeed, in the rural areas,
land has become the symbol of social status.
3.2.3 Repayment of
Loan
Before migration, most of the respondents were under economic
hardships. They chose the path of migration with a view to enjoying a better
life in the future. But the task was not an easy one because the cost
associated with the process of migration was significant. In such situation, a
major part of the respondents managed the cost through borrowing money. So
after departure, initially, they emphasized on paying off the debts. As a
result, as long as the remittance commenced to flow, migrant families started
to reduce the burden of the loan. This is obvious from the following table:
Repayment of
loan incurred for migration
Response
|
Number of Responses
|
Percentage (%)
|
Yes
|
19
|
38
|
No
|
3
|
6
|
Partially
|
24
|
48
|
Not applicable
|
4
|
8
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
The aforementioned table indicates that 38 % of the respondents
have paid back the total loan taken for the purpose of migration, 48% repaid
partially and only 6% could not repay their loan at all. The rest of the
respondents (8%) did not take any loan in the first place. To repay the loan,
initially, the families of the migrant had to spend a significant amount of the
remittances into the repayment of the loan. The respondents who repaid the loan
completely mentioned that in first three years they spent almost 50 % of the
remittances to repay the loan. The respondents who repaid the loan partially
said that they have spent around 20-25% of the remittances in the repayment of
loan in the last few years. On the other hand, the respondents who have
completely failed to repay the loan have mentioned that they have failed to
repay the loan because their migrant family members are yet to find any
suitable jobs and staying in adverse situation.
3.2.4 Food and Cloth
There are five basic needs of human being of which food and cloth
are very crucial. Because, food is very much related with the survival of an
individual and cloth determines one’s personality and social status. For this
reason, people are always aware to fulfill these needs. Likewise, the migrants’
families also use the bulk of the remittance money for this purpose. This is
obvious from the following table:
Use of the
remittance for the purpose of consumption.
Response
|
Total no.
|
%
|
yes
|
48
|
96
|
No.
|
2
|
4
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
From the above stated data, it is obvious that the 96% of the
respondents have mentioned that they use the remittance to bear the cost of
consumption. At first sight, it might seem that as the remittances are used
behind consumption, so it does not have any development impact. But, such an
assumption is not valid in all cases. Because, with the increases in
consumption, the demands for goods also increase which can result in greater
productivity and the expansion of market. Besides, it also has significant impact
on the local business community. For example, while talking to some local
businessmen, they mentioned that the outflow of people to abroad in the last
five years has helped to boost their business because of growing capacity of
the migrant families in buying goods. In this way, the increasing consumption
of the migrants’ family has a positive impact on the wider community.
3.2.5 Medical Treatment
There is a saying that health is the root of all happiness. One
needs to have a sound health to lead a stable life. But, most people of
Bangladesh are suffered by ill-health and this has been accentuated due to the
lack of medical treatment. The lack of medical treatment is also very much
related to one’s economic condition. People of the lower and lower-middle class
family rarely get proper medical treatment because of their economic hardships.
But, the picture of remittance receiving families contrast to this scenario. It
has come into light from the survey that the members of remittance receiving
families enjoy better medical treatment and they also spend a considerable
amount of money behind this purpose.
The use of
remittance for the medical treatment
Response
|
Number of Responses
|
%
|
yes
|
33
|
66
|
no
|
6
|
12
|
Not applicable
|
11
|
22
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
The above stated table indicates that 66% of the remittance
receiving households has used the remittance money for the medical purpose.
Spending money in this way is not unproductive at all. Rather, they are very
much related with the notion of development. Because, if we think about human
development, the enjoyment of proper medical treatment is a must without which
the process of development will be hampered. Because, improving the condition
of the human being is the main motto of every aspect of development.
3.2.6 Child Education
Education is conceived as the backbone of a nation. Without
education, true development can never be taken place. If we look into the most
developed countries of the world, we will observe that the literacy rate of
those countries is nearly 100 percent .But, in Bangladesh the picture is
frustrating particularly in rural areas. Due to the economic hardships, child
labour has increased significantly which resulted in an increasing trend of
dropout of children at the primary and secondary level. But, the picture is
somewhat different in the remittance receiving families. Such families are more
willing to educate their children in better institution. While talking to such
family they have mentioned that they consider the use of remittance for
education as a more productive task.
use of
remittance for education.
Response
|
No of Responses
|
%
|
yes
|
39
|
78
|
no
|
0
|
0
|
Not applicable
|
11
|
22
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
The above stated table indicates that most of the respondents have
used remittance to educate their children or other family members.
4.3.2.7 Business Investment
The remittance is not only used for consumption, medical treatment
and education but also for investment purpose. Indeed, there is a growing
awareness among the remittance receiving households to use the money in
productive sector. Because they think, remittance will not flow indefinitely as
their family members have gone abroad only for short term. So they consider the
remittance money as an asset for future survival. For this reason, they have
become very conscious about the use of such money. They prefer different
productive sector for investing money of which business is one of them. Some of
the respondents have invested the remittance money in the business sector
because they consider the business as a fruitful venture through which they can
earn more money. This is apparent from the following table:
Investment in Business
Response
|
Number of Responses
|
%
|
yes
|
11
|
22
|
no
|
39
|
78
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
From the aforementioned table it is obvious that 22% of the
respondents have invested the remittance money in running business whereas the
majority of the respondents consisting 78% did not choose this sector. This
people disclosed their reluctance to invest in business sector because they
consider business as a vulnerable sector due to the risk associated with it.
However, the people who invested the money in business run different kinds of
business. This is obvious from the following table:
Investment of
Remittance Money in Different Kinds of Business
Kinds of business
|
Total no.
|
Stationary store
|
4
|
Tailoring shop
|
2
|
Medicine shop
|
1
|
Agricultural related trading
|
1
|
Others
|
3
|
Total
|
11
|
So among the 11 person who have invested the remittance money in
business, a majority of them run stationary stores. Some people have also
chosen other types of business such as agricultural related trading, tailoring
shop, medicine shop and so on. However, this people have given a mixed reaction
about the viability of business sector for the use of remittance. This is
obvious from the following table:
Response
regarding the viability of the business sector for the investment
Response
|
Total no.
|
Profitable
|
3
|
Partialy profitable
|
6
|
Not profitable
|
2
|
Total
|
11
|
The above stated
table indicates that the people who have invested the remittance money in
business are not benefited in the same way. 3 of the respondents have mentioned
that they have been getting benefit according to their expectation by investing
money in business. But 6 of the respondents mentioned that investment in
business is not the safest avenue and they are not getting benefits according
to their expectation as the demand in the market always fluctuates. However,
the remaining two respondents replied completely negatively.
3.2.8 Social Ceremonies
The use of remittance in the social ceremonies is significant in
the rural areas. The remittance receiving families have shown more willingness
to use their money in such cases. This is obvious from the following table:
Use of
remittance in social ceremonies
Response
|
Total No.
|
%
|
yes
|
46
|
92
|
no
|
1
|
2
|
Not applicable
|
3
|
6
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
The above stated table indicates that most of the respondents
(92%) have given the positive response about the use of remittance in social
ceremonies. They use such money in different types of occasion such as wedding,
religious festivals, naming of the child, cultural programmes’ etc. Among
these, the highest portion has been spent in weddings of family members of the remittance
sender. In few instances, migrants’ spent a lot of money in their own weddings.
However, they also provide assistance to the wedding of the poor families of
the society. Slaughtering cows during Eid is another avenue of spending. It has
been apparent during the field study that the social status of the family is
associated with the size and the price of the cow. Finally, they also
contribute to organize various cultural programmes in the society. Indeed, the
use of remittance in various social occasions has a far-reaching impact on the
society. Because, social ceremonies help to curb cleavages in the society and
thereby, strengthen the ties among the members of the society. In this way, it
helps to promote social integration which has a great implication in the in the
context of development.
3.2.9 Community Development Activities
The involvement of migrants in the community development
activities is higher than the non-migrants. It has been apparent during the
field study that most of the respondents contribute financially in various
social developmental activities. This is evident from the following table:
Involvement of
the migrants/their households in the community development activities
Response
|
Total No.
|
%
|
yes
|
39
|
78
|
no
|
11
|
22
|
Total
|
50
|
100
|
From the aforementioned table it is apparent that 78% of the
migrants’ and their family responded positively regarding the participation in
community development activities. Indeed they have shown eagerness to such
activities because they have considered it as a means of increasing social
acceptance and prestige. It has been apparent as extremely true during the
field visit as the
Case Study-3
Mahmudur Rahman, a resident of the jagatpur village, has been
staying in Oman for the last 15 years. Initially he worked in a stationary
shop. But later, he himself started a small business and now he is in a very
good position. With the uplift of his condition, he has also endeavored to
uplift the condition of his society. Therefore, in the last 10 years he made
a significant contribution in the various development activities of the
society. He contributed significantly in building several mosques in his
society and the adjacent areas. Presently, the repairing of a mosque near his
house is going on. While talking to one of the members of the mosque
committee, it has been disclosed by that person that Mahmudur Rahman gave
tk.50000 for this task. He also mentioned that when they built the mosque 10
years ago Mahmudur Rahman provided almost 80% of the cost.
|
People
of the local area have expressed their satisfaction regarding the role of the
migrants’ and their families in various social activities. They contribute to
various development activities such as building religious institutions, repairing
roads, providing financial assistance to poor people in times of crisis and so on.
[1]
www.bmet.org.bd
[2]
Tasneem Siddiqui,’ International Labour Migration from Bangladesh: A decent
Work Perspective’,(Policy Integration Department, National Policy Group,
International Labour Office, Genva, November2005),working paper no.66. p.37
[3]
www.bmet.org.bd
[4]
www.bmet.org.bd
[5]
www.bangladesh-bank.org
[6]
Tasneem Siddiqui, op.cit.pp.3-4
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